Ferrule contracting tool



July 30,1935. s. T. WILLIAMS 2,009,829

FERRULE CONTRAdTING TOOL Filed May 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nyz.

INVENTOR} v July 30, 1935. w 1 I 2,009,829

FERRULE CONTRACTING TOOL Filed May 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 30, 1935 FERRULE CONTRACTING 'roon Selden T. Williams, Bellerose, N. Y., assignor to A. Schraders Son, Incorporated, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 13, .1933, Serial N0..670,V857

10 Claims.

v The present invention relates to a ferrule contracting device or tool, and aims to provide certain improvements therein. More particularly it relates to a portable tool for securing ferrules upon. hose of various kinds or upon other articles of commerce or manufacture.

, Most ferrule-contracting devices in current use comprise a easing into which fit a plurality of die segments which are movable radially inwardly to contractzthe ferrule. These machines are'very costly, are in the nature of bench tools and require a multiplicity of sets of die segments for applying ferrules of different sizes. Furthermore, in these machines, if. care is not taken to prevent the accumulation of rubber cement, or other adhesive, used in applying the ferrule to a hose, between the die segments, there is always present the danger ofbreaking :the die-holding pins. Accordingly, such devices are usually found only in places where .the'application'of ferrules to hose is a constant or frequent task and where an experienced operator is employed to properly perform the ferrule-applying operation.

According to my present invention, 1 provide a ferrule-contracting or crimping toolwhich is of exceedingly simple construction, one which can be cheaply manufactured and sold at a price that every retailer of hose can'afiord and one which is portable and only requires a bench vise, hammer or equivalent means for its efiicient use. In-the preferred embodiments-of my invention the ferrule-contracting tool comprises a plurality of overlapping plates formed with complemental or oppositely disposed recesses which at theirinner ends are of substantially semi-circular shape and provide a substantially circular openingsthe effective circumference'of which can be varied by moving the plates relatively to each other and within which opening ferrules of a definite size range can be crimped upon hose. ..,While my de vices are primarily designed and intended for use with a bench vise, it will be apparent thatthe contracting force may be applied to. the tool in any desiredmanner, either by hand or power, and one embodiment thereof may take the form of 'a tongs construction which I have found to be quite eflicient. My invention will be better understood from the detailed description thereof which follows when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing. various embodiments of my invention, and wherein a Figure l is a side elevation of a ferrule-crimping device embodying my invention.

, Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in ,5 Fig.1. 7 A I Figs, 3 and 4Vshow a side elevation and a top plan view respectively of another embodiment of my invention.

Figs. 5 and 6 show artop plan view and side elevation respectively of an application of my :15 invention to a pair of tongs.

Fig. shows a fractional elevation of a bench vise and'the manner in which the crimping device of my invention may be used therewith. 1

Referring first to'Figs. 1 and 20f the-drawings, 10 my ferrule-crimping deviceis shown as consisting of a plurality of relatively thin, substantially rectangular oroblong flatplates A of uniform size, each beingformed with an elongated slot a extendingparallel to the shorter 5 edges 2a: of the plate and in, adjacent spaced relation to such. edges, the slots at each end being of the same size and shape and being spaced the. same distancefrom their respective edges. Intermediate the 'edgeslw and preferably mid 20 .way therebetween and extending inwardly from one of the-longer edgesBc, each plate is formed with a recess 4a, which-atits inner endisof substantially semi-circular shape, as indicated at 501., .the opposite walls of said-recessfora portion 2.5. .of its depth leadingfrom said semi-circularpart being parallel, asindicated at to, and said walls from the parts Ba to the edge of the plate diverging from one another. Each of the plates be tweenthecentralpoint of the semi-circular wall 30 5a and the unbroken side wall 311 is formed with ,a circular hole 1a, the purpose for which will presently appear.- v

To constitute my ferrule-contracting device, I prefer to take a'plurality of plates A and arrange 35 .them into two groupsin'superposed relation with the plates of each groupoppositely disposed to the plates of the other group so that the recesses 1a of said plates'will'be disposed in overlapping complemental relation to provide a substantially 40 circular opening in the central portion of stacked plates. For holding said plates in such assembled relation while at the same time providing for relative movement therebetween in the directionof the length of the. slots a, I position within 5 the overlying slots at, each endof the plates a pin or stud 8a having a diameter substantially equal to the. width of the slots and of alength to extend. through all the plates'and then peen or otherwise suitably secure the ends of said studs 5 ings 1a therein, pins Illa. of a length to extend beyond the outer faces of the assembled plates to provide engaging means for facilitating the relative outward movement of the groups of plates after a furrule-applying operation. To hold the pins Illa in their respective positions, I prefer to form each pin midway of its length with an annular enlargement Ha, which after the plates A are mounted in assembled relation thereon will serve to prevent withdrawal of said pins.

From an inspection of Fig. 1, it will be apparent that when the plates Aare mounted in true coincident relation the opening formed by the overlapping recesses 4a will be truly circular in form, and that as said plates are moved relatively inwardly or relatively outwardly with respect to each other, the true circular contour of said opening will change slightly to vary the circumference of the opening. Normally, however, the crimping device having a central opening of definite normal radius will accommodate and be adapted for use in applying ferrules between a definite size range. For example, a crimping or contracting device as disclosed having a normal central opening radius of 0.5 inch will be suitable for contracting ferrules having a size range from R to V. In an emergency, however, said device might also accommodate sizes P and W ferrules and make a neat job thereof. 1

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown a contracting device formed of a plurality of plates B, each having a plurality of recesses 22), 3b and 4b, formed in one of their longitudinal edges 51), a plurality of said plates being disposed in superposed relation With the alternate plates oppositely arranged so that the recesses will lie in complemental relation to provide substantially circular openings 6b, lb and 8b. The device shown in these figures is substantially similar in construction to that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 and merely differs therefrom in that" it provides for a greater range of use and is primarily designed for use in applying ferrules upon inflating coupling hose lines. The three sizes ofopening, 6b, 1b and 8b, are designed to accommodate ferrules having a size range from CC to KK, each of the openings being intended to satisfactorily accommodate three sizes of ferrules. For example, an opening such as 8b having a normal radius of 0.35 inch will admirably accommodate ferrule sizes CC to EE, I

In Fig. 7 I have shown one manner in which the ferrule-contracting device of Figs. 1 to 4 can be operated with the use of an ordinary bench vise. Accordingly, let it be assumed that the tool of Fig. 1 is to be used in applying a ferrule upon a hose. A ferrule of proper size to snugly fit over the hose end together with a 'coupling member to fit within the hose is applied toa hose end and the assembly inserted through the central opening of the contracting device to the point where the ferrule is disposed within said opening; The slots a permit the circular opening to be enlarged by moving the plates outby said jaws, as best shown inFig. 7 Thejaw D is then moved inwardly uponturning the handle E of the vise to move the plates of the respective groups of plates toward each other to clamp the ferrule upon the hose. By virtue of the Shape of the inner ends of the recesses 4a and the resulting form of the circular opening provided upon the movement of the plates toward each other the ferrule will be contracted about the hose to provide a smooth joint therewith and said ferrule will be free from the usual longitudinal ribs or grooves which result from the use of contracting machines having a plurality of segmental dies.v Upon opening the vise and removing the device therefrom, the hose with its fitting contracted thereon will be released as the groups of plates of the device are relatively moved apart by applying slight outward force upon the projecting ends of thepins Illa.

In Figs. 5 and ,6, I have shown the invention as applied to a pair of tongs. In such application, instead of using rectangular plates, elongated strips F of sheet metal are employed, each of said strips having an enlarged head J, one edge of which is formed with a recess 2], similar in shape to that shown at 4a in Fig. l and an elongate handle-portion '3) of reduced width. The strips are each formed near the outer end of the enlarged head with an opening for accommodating a pivot'pin. The strips, as in the case of the plates of the aforedescribed devices, are arranged in two groups with the enlarged heads of said groups oppositely disposed and arranged in alternate overlapping relation so as to provide a substantially circular opening II when the recesses 2. are disposed in overlapping complemental relation. To hold said parts in assembled relation, a pinor rivet 5f is employed. For filling the spaces between the strips of each group at the handle-engaging ends of the tongs and for reinforcing said tongs, I prefer to use filler elements 6) between said strips and suitably rivet said elements tofthe strips as indicated at If and 8f. 7,

7 In the'use of the tongs form of my ferrulecontracting device,-a procedure similar to that outlined for thetoolfdisclosed in Fig. l is followed insofar as it relates to the preliminaries of mounting the ferrule and fitting upon the hose. The hose end and ferrule are then placed within the jaw of one of the tongs if open or within the opening 4 if the tongs are closed, and pressure is then applied to the ferrule through the leverage action of the handles 3f.

1 From the foregoing detailed descriptions of the various embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that I have provided a ferrule-contracting device which is simple in construction, which is facile in its operation, and which can be cheaply manufactured and sold at a reasonable price, since it will be apparent from the contions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: l. A ferrule-contracting device consisting only of a plurality of substantially similar relatively movable overlappingplates formed with complemental recesses disposed'in overlapping relation to provide a substantially circular opening having a confining wall for entirely encircling the ferrule to be contracted thereby, which recesses for a portion of their depth have substantially parallel sides and which at their inner ends are of substantially semi-circular shape.

2. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of overlapping plates arranged in two groups with the plates of each group alternately disposed to the plates of the other group, the plates of the respective groups serving as spacing elements for the plates of the other group and means for holding said groups of plates in assembled relation while permitting relative movement therebetween, the plates of the respective groups being formed with complemental recesses which overlap to provide a substantially circular opening in the device, the circumference of said opening being variable as the groups of plates are moved relatively to each other.

3. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of overlapping plates arranged in two groups with the plates of each group alternately disposed to the plates of the other group, the

plates of the respective groups serving as spacing elements for the plates of the other group and means for holding said groups of plates in assembled relation while permitting relative movement therebetween, the plates of the respective groups being formed with complemental recesses which overlap to provide a substantially circular opening in the device, the circumference of said opening being variable as the groups of plates are moved relatively to each other, said plate holding means permitting limited relative movement between the plates of each group.

4. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of overlapping plates arranged in two groups with the plates of each group alternately disposed to the plates of the other group, means for holding said groups of plates in assembled relation while permitting relative movement therebetween, the plates of the respective groups being formed with complemental recesses which overlap to provide a substantially circular opening in the device, the circumference of said opening being variable as the groups of plates are moved relatively to each other, and a pin extending through each group of plates andhaving hand engaging portions for facilitating the relative outward movement of the groups of plates.

5. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of oblong relatively thin plates each formed with spaced openings and a recess, said plates being divided into two groups and disposed in superposed relation, with the plates of one group alternately and oppositely disposed to the plates of the other group to bring the openings in the plates into coincident relation and the recesses in complemental relation to provide a substantially circular opening in the device, the circumference of said opening being variable as the groups of plates are moved relatively to each other, means for holding the plates of each group in assembled relation and means extending through the openings in the plates for holding the groups in assembled relation while permitting relative movement therebetween.

6. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of substantially similar oblong relatively thin plates, each formed with a pair of parallellydisposed'slots and. an opening intermediate the slots, one end of said opening being substantially semi-circular in form, said plates being divided into two groups, with the plates of one group alternately and oppositely disposed in superposed relation to the plates of the other group A tobring the slots into coincident relation and the openings into complemental relation to provide a substantially circular opening through the assembled plates, and a. headed pin extending through each group of coincident slots.

7. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of oblong'relatively thin plates, each formed with a pair of parallelly-disposed slots, and a recess extending inwardly from one edge of the plate intermediate the slots, the inner end of said recess being substantially semi-circular in form, said plates being divided into two groups with the plates of one group alternately and oppositely disposed in superposed relation to, the plates of the other group to bring the slots into coincident relation and the recesses into complemental relation to provide a substantially circular opening through theuassembled plates, and a headed pin extending through each group of coincident slots.

8. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of oblong relatively thin plates, each formed with a pair of parallelly-disposed slots,

a recess extending inwardly from one edge of the plate intermediate the slots, the inner end of said recesses being substantially semi-circular in form, and, an opening above the recess substantially on the center line thereof, .said plates being divided into two groups with the plates of one group alternately and oppositely disposed in superposed relation to the plates of the other group to bring the slots and openings into coincident relation and the recesses into complemental relation to provide a substantially circular opening through the assembled plates, a headed pin extending through each group of coincident slots, and a pin extending through and beyond each group of coincident openings above and below the resultant circular opening formed by the recesses.

9. A ferrule-contracting device comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular relatively thin plates, each formed with an elongate slot adjacent each of its short sides in parallel relation thereto and a plurality of spaced openings of diiTerent sizes intermediate the slots, one end of each of said openings being substantially semicircular in form, said plates being divided into two groups with the plates of one group turned about their longitudinal axes and alternately dis-, posed in superposed relation to the plates of the other group to bring the slots into coincident relation and the openings into complemental relation to provide spaced substantially circular openings through the assembled plates and a headed pin extending through each group of coincident slots.

10. A pair of tongs, the arms of which each consists of a plurality of relatively thin plates held in spaced superposed relation with the plates of one arm disposed in interengaging relation to the plates of the other arm, the plates of each arm having near the pivotal end thereof a recess, which recesses in said arms are disposed'in complemental relation to each other and of a size and shape such that as the arms are brought toward each other an enclosed opening of diminishing size will be provided thereby.

, SELDEN T. WILLIAMS. 

